Cortes Sharp In First Start
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
After taking 2 out of 3 from the San Fransisco Giants, the New York Yankees began a 3-games against the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies who had not won a game to start the season. The Bronx Bombers trotted out Nestor “Nasty” Cortes who missed most of spring training due to a hamstring issue. Cortes looked like the guy who was named to the All-Star team last year giving up only one run, 7 hits in 5 innings. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cortes saying, “stuff wise, he was very good.”
In the 8-1 win, the Yankees broke the game wide open when they scored 5-runs in the bottom of the 5th. The bullpen by committee of Ian Hamilton, Jonathan Loaisiga and Clay Holmes gave up no runs, 4 hits in the final 4 innings. For the 4th straight game, the Yankees would hit a home run, 9 in total. First, second baseman Gleyber Torres hit his 100th career home run in the third inning. First baseman Anthony Rizzo blasted a 2-run home run in the 5th. “I feel like they’re feeding off each other right now,” said Boone.
The loss dropped the Phillies record to 0-4. Tuesday’s night match-up had the Bombers Domingo German against Matt Stratham. Wednesday’s matinee featured Gerrit Cole, coming off his 11 strikeout opening day start, against Aaron Nola.
